Day 01: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai Airport in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi, your tour guide will welcome you outside the customs area holding a sign with your name on it. Transfer to your hotel for check-in. The room is at your disposal from 14h00. We’ll then proceed with a sightseeing tour of Hanoi.

CITY TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:

• Visit West Lake and Tran Quoc Pagoda where you can get a deep understanding of the local life, culture, and religion
• Explore the Old Quarter by rickshaw to view the most elegant French colonial architecture and the bustling streets in Hanoi
• Enjoy a traditional water puppet show which is unique to Vietnamese culture
• Dinner at a local restaurant

Overnight in Hanoi   

Day 2: Hanoi  (B/L)

We start our full-day tour of Vietnam’s capital city at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Monday and Friday) and his nearby former residence. Continue visiting Vietnam’s first university, the thousand-year-old Temple of Literature. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon: 

• Visit Thu Huong Lacquer Arts & Workshop where you will learn about the history of lacquer, when it appeared in the world and how it developed through centuries. You will also learn about the color that is made from tree bark and the technique of using it, making the difference between Japanese or Chinese lacquer with Vietnamese one, and get to know the reason why traditional Vietnamese lacquer takes a long time to finish.
• Visit the Ethnology Museum (closed on Monday) where you can discover the diversity of Vietnam’s many ethnic groups.

Transfer back to the city center for a leisure walking tour around Hoan Kiem lake and its vicinity. A walking tour with a tour guide is a great way to see the Old Quarter. You have the opportunity to take beautiful photos of people, buildings, and food...and enjoy every moment you have. Back to your hotel at 17.00. Dinner on your own.

Remark: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum closes from 08 September to 08 November for annual maintenance. 

Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum is closed on Fridays and Mondays and most museums are closed on Mondays.

*Note: All visitors to the mausoleum are required to wear clothes covering their knees and shoulders. This applies to both men and women

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi - Sapa - Lao chai -  Homestay Experience in Ta van (L, D)

After breakfast at your hotel and check-out, you will be picked up by a private vehicle with your private guide and transferred from Hanoi to Sapa via Noibai - Laocai Expressway. The travel time is approximately 5 hours. Lunch at a local restaurant in Sapa. 

Afternoon visit Lao Chai and Ta Van villages of Hmong and Dzay minorities. You have the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking mountain scenery and rice terraces. Walk through villages where ethnic people live. Visit their homes and witness their daily activities. 

Transfer about 30 minutes from Sapa town to Lao chai village, where you will start your descending walk into the valley, which is the largest paddy terrace in the Sapa area. The guide can provide you with interesting information about rice and rice growing. At a specific time of the year (Jul- Aug), you will be able to experience how the locals do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in their daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of the Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of the Giay minority, you have the opportunity to take beautiful photos of rice terraces and meet ethnic minority people to learn more about their customs and cultures

Upon arrival in Ta van village, we will visit a Zay family where we will enjoy a cup of tea and chat with the owner of the house to learn about their daily life, customs, and practices. Then there is free time to walk around the villages. Later we return to the family to have dinner & stay overnight in a Zay family house in the beautiful Ta van.

Overnight: Homestay Experience in Ta Van village

Homestay experience - the opportunities to live like a local at a homestay with one of the hill tribes. You will eat with the family and get a true cultural immersion

Meal Plan: Lunch | Dinner

Day 4: Ta Van -  Giang Ta Chai Village - Sapa (B,L)

Have breakfast at your homestay and enjoy the peaceful morning of Ta van Village.

Today, you will enjoy a walking tour. 

Tour route: Ta van – Bamboo forest – Waterfall – Giang ta chai village - Sapa

It’s amazing to hike among the gorgeous mountains, you’ll enjoy amazing views of mountains, rice paddies, waterfalls, rivers, and cross bridges where you can see local women washing clothes. Lunch at the village. End of the tour, drive back to Sapa Town. Transfer to hotel for check-in. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Dinner on your own.

Approx: 3-3.5 hours walking/1 hour lunch

Tour Level: Easy adventure

Transfer: Private transfer from Giang ta chai back to Sapa

Meal Plan: Breakfast | Lunch

Overnight in Sapa - Check-in time: 2:00 pm

Day 5: Sapa - Hanoi City (B, L)

Breakfast at your hotel.

In the morning you are free to explore Sapa town. Lunch at the restaurant.

- Check out time: 12:00 noon

Optional Activities:

• Half-day trip to Fansipan Mountain
• Cooking class
• Visit Silver Waterfall and Tram Ton Pass

14h30: Transfer back to Hanoi by a private vehicle. The travel time is approximately 5 hours. Transfer to your accommodation in Hanoi and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Meal Plan: Breakfast | Lunch 

Overnight at .........

Day 6:  Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Bike Tour (B/L/D)

Breakfast at your hotel and check-out

08.00: Your private guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and transfer about 2.5 hours to Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh, the capital of Vietnam in the 10th and 11th centuries.

On arrival, we will visit Hoa Lu (the Ancient Capital City of Vietnam) and enjoy a unique boat trip to visit three caves, Tam Coc is known by the name “Halong bay on land” due to its spectacular scenery with limestone karsts rising from the ground to tower over the region, and is a truly wonderful sight to see. Lunch will be served in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, get on an exciting journey by bike and cycle 3.5 to 5 kilometers to Bich Dong pagoda, through small villages, passing spectacular karst cliffs, enjoying the tranquility of the paddy fields, and interacting with the local people. 

15.30 -16.00: Transfer you to the hotel for check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Ninh Binh

Day 7: Hanoi – Halong Bay Cruise (B/L/D)

Have breakfast at the hotel and check out. You’ll be picked up at around 8:00 AM from your hotel, and drive the 3 to 3.5 hours to Halong — with a 30-minute comfort stop

11:30 - 12:15: Arrive at Halong International Cruise Port.

12:30 - 13:00: Embark on the Halong cruise. Check-in, enjoy welcome drinks, and cruise briefing.

13:00 - 14:30: Enjoy lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, and admire the fascinating formations on the way.

15:30 - 16:30: Explore the well-hidden Thien Canh Son Cave.

17:00 - 17:30: Return to the boat – Swim or relax on sundeck.

18:00: Anchor for overnight in the Cong Do area.

18:15: Pre-dinner cocktail party – Happy Hour.

18:30 - 19:00: Cooking class in the restaurant or outdoors.

19:30 - 21:00: Savour a delicious set dinner in the restaurant.

21:00 - 23:00: Night-time squid fishing or relaxing and enjoying the fresh air. 

Overnight Cruise in the Famous Halong Bay

Note: Halong Bay Cruise is subject to weather conditions. The above itinerary is for your reference only as each cruise will have its different itinerary and will be slightly different. The Itinerary is subject to changes without prior notice due to unforeseen circumstances.

Day 8:  Halong – Hanoi (Brunch)

06:30: Enjoy the sunrise on the Bay. Morning Tai Chi session on the sundeck.

06:45 - 07:45: Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries are served in the restaurant.

08:00 - 08:30: Transfer to bamboo sampan boat to visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village. Rowers are local people wearing traditional costumes.

09:00 - 09:30: Check out of your cabin. Start cruising towards the port.

09:30 - 10:30: International buffet brunch served in the restaurant.

10:30 - 11:00: Disembark. End of trip. Drive back to Hanoi and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Optional Activities: HANOI STREET FOOD TOUR  

Overnight in Hanoi 

Day 9: Hanoi Departure (B)

Free time at your leisure until we transfer you to the airport for your departure flight. The room is at your disposal until noon time only. 

End of services.

Thank you for traveling with us!

Wishing You a Happy and Safe Journey

SPECIAL NOTE FOR SAPA TOUR: 

• What to take: Bring along a day backpack, a light cotton dress/trousers, a warm jacket (rain and wind, a silk sleeping bag, mosquito repellent, good walking/hiking shoes, a walking stick, a sun hat/sun lotion, hand lotion, lip balm.
• Be aware that in rainy times the trail is muddy and slippery
• Roads: Driving can be a challenge as roads can be bumpy or under construction, and driving time depends on weather and road conditions – only rough estimates can be given.
• Standard Hotel Check-in time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (local time)
• Standard Hotel Check-out time: 11:00am-12pm (local time)

Tour price includes:

• Hotel accommodation shared in a Double/ Twin room at a specified hotel or similar with Daily Breakfast. If the listed hotel is fully booked, alternative accommodation will be offered
• 2D1N overnight cruise in Halong Bay. 
• Homestay Experience in Ta Van village
• Private vehicle
• Meals as indicated as B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D= Dinner
• Experienced English Speaking Guide
• Sightseeing tickets as mentioned in the program

Tour price excludes:

• Tips and Gratuities for Guide and Driver
• Other meals 
• VAT, 
• Personal expenses,
• Beverages
• Travel insurance. We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance (covering emergency medical evacuation) for trips to Vietnam.
• Other services not mentioned above
• Please refer to Hanoi Premium Travel & tour booking terms-and-conditions

Notes:

• All rates are subject to changes with or without prior notice
• All rates are subject to surcharges during the Peak season and Holiday season if applicable.
• Some programs may alter due to local conditions, the size of the group, and other unexpected circumstances. We will do our very best to adhere to the set itinerary, however, we cannot be held responsible for any last-minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, the guide will have the final say.
• Halong cruise itinerary is subject to vary without prior notice and each cruise might run on a different program. 
• Transfer times are approximate and subject to local conditions at the time of travel and the daily order of sightseeing is subject to change
• We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance (covering emergency medical evacuation) for trips to Vietnam.
• Prices are valid for 03 to 07 days from the date of the offer. Past this date price and conditions may be readjusted.
• The cost of air tickets is subject to change without prior notice by the airlines.
• Rooms at hotels are available only from 14:00 on arrival day till 12:00 on departure date. A supplement will be added if early check-in or late check-out is desired.
• Please note that all the above services & tours have yet to be booked, they are proposed for your information only and we will not make any reservations before we receive your confirmation to do so.
• If one or some proposed service(s) is (are) not available at the moment of booking, we will try to find other possibilities/options or another similar service (s) to avoid changes to the program
• Please refer to Hanoi Premium Travel & tour booking terms-and-conditions